Context: The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has come up with a draft ‘National Policy Framework on Agricultural Marketing‘ to obtain public comments. Aim of the Policy: One aim of the policy is to liberalize the marketing restrictions while considering all interested parties, which include farmers and consumers. The draft policy calls for conducting trade in agricultural produce under a uniform barrier-free environment pan-India. Key Highlights: Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs) in India
Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs) in India
National Policy Framework on Agricultural Marketing by Faiz Ahmed Kidwai
It has been formulated by a committee under chairmanship of Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, which enables them to approach the solutions to a vibrant marketing ecosystem for farmers of all categories where they realize the price of their produce in a marketplace of their choice. Main Key Points of Draft: Constitute the Empowered Agricultural Marketing Reform Committee including State Ministers of Agriculture to bring consensus among the states on moving towards an integrated national market for agricultural produce through a single licensing/registration system and one fee. It might be chaired by the Minister of the Agriculture of any state on a rotational basis as is at present done for Empowered Committee on GST. Improve farmer-market linkages: Declare large sections of need-based warehouses/cold storages as sub-market yards; further develop & consolidate eNAM beyond APMC markets e.g., to sub-market yards.Reforms for APMCs: Induce APMCs towards revenues through notification of new fruits vegetables, policy outreach of food aggregation-processing activities etc. instead of exorbitantly charging market fee & other fee. Other:Value Chain Centric Infrastructure Boosting -with Incorporation AI, blockchain technologies et cetera with private sector collaborationImplementation of Price Insurance Scheme for Farmers Income to gain assured income to the farmers right at the time of sowing.Promote Ease of Doing AgriTrade by Digital automation of mandi processes; digital issuance of license/registration to traders, private market operators, etc. Agricultural marketing in IndiaAgricultural marketing is a State subject under Entry 28 of List-II (State List) of VII Schedule under Article 246 of the Constitution.Challenge: Fragmented and Inefficient Supply Chain, Market access, Poor Infrastructure, Complex Regulation etc.The grass-roots organization of the state has taken initiatives like – Formation & Promotion of 10,000 Farmer Produce Organizations, Agriculture Infrastructure Fund, Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure, Gramin Agricultural Markets etc.
India’s Steel Ministry defines Green Steel
Know about: green steel policy
ISMA asked government for advanced biofuel policiesÂ
Context: The Indian Sugar and Bio-energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) has urged the government to come out with advanced biofuel policies to take forward the current ethanol blending programme (EBP) beyond 2025. Key Highlights: The Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme is a government initiative to increase the amount of ethanol blended with petrol in India: What is Ethanol blending? What is ethanol? Also Read: India shortens down its tar
Agrochemical sector to see higher growth: CRISIL
Context: Agrochemical sector is set to see a higher growth rate next fiscal on stable domestic demand and recovery in export volumes, said CRISIL Ratings. Key Highlights: The Agrochemical Sector The agrochemical sector is a part of the chemical industry’s life sciences segment, and it involves the production and distribution of fertilizers and pesticides to increase crop yields. Agrochemical Sector includes: Credit Rating Information Services of India Limited (CRISIL) Credit Rating Information Services of India Limited, is an Indian analytical company providing ratings, research, and risk and policy advisory service
India’s retail inflation and food inflation
Context: Food inflation has also eased marginally from 10.9% to 9.04% in November, rural consumers having reported a marginally higher rise of 9.1%, while the urban population recorded an 8.74% increase in food prices. Highlights: Retail inflation Food Inflation Also read: Inflation
New Sovereign Green Bond (SGrB) Auction Was Successful
Context: The ₹5,000 crore auction of the new Sovereign Green Bond (SGrB) of 30-year tenure sailed through on Friday. Highlights: Know about: Green Bonds Also read: Fund raises through Green Bonds
India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC)
Context: In September 2023, the ambitious transcontinental India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC) was announced on the sidelines of the G20 summit in New Delhi. Recent Updates on the Corridor: Know more about: India-Middle East-Europe Econo
India supports UNGA resolution on Gaza
Context: With this, India makes its pronouncement as one of the 158 nations supporting the UNGA resolution demanding an immediate, unconditional, and total ceasefire in Gaza. Key Highlight: What is UNGA? A United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolution is a decision or declaration that is voted by all the member states of the United Nations. UNGA resolutions are basically a formal statement that represent the international community’s opinion on a range of global issues. The United Nations (UN) The United Nations (UN) is an international organization that was established in 1945 after World War II to maintain international peace and security.